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Cry of the City

We will walk then, you and I When daylight shuts her weary eye; Down the streets where beggars sleep And drug crazed addicts spend their keep. On streets that wind through thick and thin Past monuments of broken sin The painted whores who smile a lot A rejected child that time forgot. The evening hymn that sorrows sing The call to prayer that church bells ring; The sounds and smells that rape a city The calls for help that won't find pity. Do we have time to heal the curse That captures all the universe Or would it really be worthwhile To quell the question with a smile? But we have walked these streets before And hoped our ears could dim the roar Of silence gripping cold nightmares That come unbidden up the stairs. We share the night with lesser fools Who stake their plight without sound rules For each new challenge finds old pain That lives to give then comes again.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012




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Date: 8/22/2014 8:13:00 PM
Powerful! I saw this on the top 100 of all time and as it should be on that list, a worthy poem or high praise, the flow and subject is great and pleasingly displayed :)
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Date: 6/13/2014 9:54:00 PM
Oh my, such a moving piece of poetry. You've expressed deep emotions and heartfelt sentiments in this poem and yet society has little room to offer any kind of hope to these victims. How sad yet realistic. How expressive of you Lizzie and how deep are your thoughts in this write. You are the greatest poet!
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Date: 5/6/2014 3:03:00 PM
Hi Elizabeth, This poem was written by a skilled writer. A poet through and through. This was simply elegant, truthful and breathtaking. Thank you so much for sharing this write with us. Peace, Deborah
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Date: 9/9/2013 7:57:00 AM
Top 100 wow I thought I'd have one there.
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Date: 7/30/2013 6:02:00 AM
Going down River Road in Nairobi I can feel the convergence Of the sounds in your poem. You have to be on my favlist.
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Date: 4/23/2013 2:29:00 PM
Dear Lizzie, came back for another read... putting it on my favs to make future reference easier... Terry
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Date: 3/31/2013 7:17:00 PM
Some how, whether one has been down this rd. or not, the inflict can be felt by many, if not all. Great write dear poet ! Have a wonderful week my friend....much love, james
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Date: 2/18/2013 3:48:00 PM
What a great read thanks :)
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Date: 2/14/2013 8:39:00 PM
Elizabeth; This is a sad , but very good poem. And so true. So much happens in a city. Today I saw on the news. That the neighbor hood where I used to live once In Chicago. One of the most wanted Capos of the DRUG Cartels has taken over and it is spread through out the city. I feel bad, because a lot of my friends live there. Thanks for sahring. Lucilla
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Date: 1/30/2013 10:32:00 AM
I said I'd read this one again. Did. I'm reminded of walking the streets of East Denver - where I grew up - and past the old Argonaut Hotel where some drunk had just thrown up. The doorman didn't give a damn. Love, dave
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Date: 1/29/2013 6:27:00 PM
You have captured emotions I could never express nearly as well as you have here. This poem renders your comments on my work very rewarding. I appreciate your visit to my portfolio. It means a lot to this old wordsmith. ....... Love Ya much....... Jake
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Date: 1/12/2013 1:29:00 PM
There is very strong wisdom in this unadorned & poigyant write addressing the bones of reality - so beautifully unpretentious Lizzie - if only an earnest smile would eradicate the harm of choice - 'For each new challenge finds old pain...' this so God damn true its sweet - with love & respect - J.A.B. %
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Date: 1/11/2013 8:29:00 AM
It is part of life whether good or bad we find challenges in all cities. Wish it wasn't so but it is. An excellent write. love phyl
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Date: 1/10/2013 7:38:00 PM
The cry of so many cities these days I fear. This is deep, so very deep and touches just the brief surface. Into my favorites it goes, that makes two of yours tonight...I'm so humbled by your words and talent !!
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Date: 1/3/2013 9:07:00 AM
An illustrious write Elizabeth....Happy new year
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Date: 1/1/2013 9:22:00 AM
Had to return... to re-read and to wish you Happy New Year, dear Lizzie... Terry
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Date: 12/17/2012 4:59:00 PM
AWESOME, Elizabeth ;}
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Date: 12/14/2012 8:32:00 PM
Outstanding....in every way!!!!
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Date: 12/10/2012 6:07:00 PM
Dark, forboding, hopeful and beautiful all rolled into one...amazing write, Elizabeth...you are one of the best for sure! - Tim
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Date: 12/8/2012 7:37:00 PM
Dark and dismal images, Elizabeth. Reminds me of the scenery in "Oliver Twist". I'm sure Charles Dickens had walked along paths such as these. An outstanding write!:) I suppose although things may look different, they always remain fundamentally the same. Love, Mikki
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Date: 12/8/2012 9:11:00 AM
Dear Elizabeth, Dark the night, darker still for others. Stunning writing. lvoe, Kathy
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Date: 12/5/2012 12:59:00 PM
Superb... in every respect! Terry
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Date: 12/3/2012 9:32:00 AM
It's a challenge and must bear with that. It's called life and nothing else. Loved always your depth. Always, bl
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Date: 11/29/2012 12:42:00 AM
I am speechless. This is is a great poem.
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Date: 11/28/2012 2:12:00 PM
What's to be said? This is absolutely outstanding, Liz. How could us old duffers put our views any more succinctly, more powerfully than this. I will want to read this one again many times. Love, daver
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